How to Straighten Kinky Earbud Cords

I accidentally ran my iPhone earbuds through the washer and dryer, and now the cord is bent in so many places that it doesn’t hang loosely like it used to. Is there anything I can do, or am I stuck spending $30 on a new pair of earbuds?

At least it wasn’t your iPhone! But seriously, except for a brown Zune, there no more unsightly way to enjoy music than with than a gnarled set of earbuds. Fortunately, some heat and gentle stretching can help relax and reshape the cord.

Wrap the nastiest kink snugly around a bottle or coffee cup so you’re flexing the cord in the opposite direction it wants to go. Align the kink with a label or other reference point to help you remember where the worst spot is. Then go over that spot with a hair dryer set to maximum to mold the cord to the new shape. Take your time and keep the dryer moving––you don’t want to melt the cord or your fingers. After a few minutes, set the cup and dryer aside, then gently bend the cord against the “grain” of the kink. Reapply heat as necessary, then repeat the process on other bends in the cord.

Finish your earbuds’ spa treatment by hanging them up and weighting one end with chunky a pair of sunglasses, an old iPod, anything with just enough heft to force the cord to hang straight. Run the hair dryer over the length of the cord, tweaking trouble spots into shape as you go, and then let your earbuds cool. You may not undo each kink the first time, so multiple sessions could be necessary. To help your earbuds keep their new shape, check out our guide to Apple cable management.